LOUISVILLE (WHAS11) -- The Crescent Hill Fourth of July is an old-fashioned, homegrown celebration honoring the American spirit.
"One of the reasons we exist is to go out and put a face on the military, those folks in uniform and share what's going on, what they're doing," Lt. Col. Roger Mills, Commander and Conductor of Air National Guard of the South, said.
If you attend the Crescent Hill event, you will be able to hear Mills perform along with other Air National Guardsmen jamming out to the classics.
It's a reminder of the people who can't be home for the celebrations, those who make it all possible.
The Air National Guard Band of the South is a 40-member group.
The group is based out of Knoxville but they travel all over.
"We've got rock bands, jazz bands, concert band, tradition. Pretty much meet the needs of everyone listening,” Mills said.
Their main mission is to boost troop morale at home and abroad.
"They're going places like where the USO couldn't necessarily go,” Mills said.
They go through the same training as any Air National guardsmen but when it's time to do the mission.
"We're picking up the guitars and trumpets," Mills said.
Just last summer, the rock band deployed to six countries in a 90-day span. When they're back in the states, they visit with veterans.
"That's one of the most gratifying things we have when we perform,” Mills said. "Looking out and seeing those folks who've served. Bringing something to them, memories to them. It just always sends chills up your spine to see those who've served in the past."
You can hear the Air National Guard's Band of the South perform at the Crescent Hill Fourth of July Festival on Thursday night starting at 7:30.
The day-long celebration runs from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. at the Peterson-Dumesnil House on Peterson, off Frankfort Avenue.
Contact reporter Brooke Hasch at bhasch@whas11.com. Follow her on Twitter (@WHAS11Hasch) and Facebook.